Being in a relationship has its up and downs. Even when you are in love, there are times when you may be unsure whether or not the person you are with is the person you are supposed to be with for the rest of your life. You may be fighting more often or finding that you don’t have time for each other anymore. Perhaps you feel that you are growing apart or don’t have as much in common. Sometimes, these are signs that it’s time to break up and move on. On the other hand, there are times when it simply means you are going through a rough patch in the relationship. How do you know the difference? It can be difficult to know at times.

If you are in love, it’s important to do everything you can to save the relationship. There are different ways you can do this. Making time for each other is important, as is communication. Still, there may be times when a separation can benefit you and help both you and your partner see whether or not you are meant to be. The way you approach your separation is important, though. There are a few key things to keep in mind to ensure it is beneficial and not harmful to the relationship. When you are looking at a potential temporary separation, here are some things to keep in mind.

Set a Time

Set the amount of time from the beginning that the two of you should be separated. This should be a time you both agree on. Sometimes all you need is a week apart to see where the relationship is. You probably shouldn’t go longer than a month, only because things can change so much in that time and you don’t want to risk drifting apart even more. Knowing the end date for your trial separation can help you both get through it more easily.

Seek Counseling

Your separation may be the best time for you to seek therapy. Many people assume that therapy is for those who have serious mental issues, but the truth is it can help almost anyone. This is a great time to see if any of the issues in your relationship are due to personal issues you may have. Both you and your partner may benefit from seeking some counseling individually, and possibly together if the two of you decide it’s something you need. At the very least, speaking with a neutral third party can help you sort some things out and figure out whether or not you should be with your partner.

Communicate

A separation doesn’t mean that you should not speak with each other for the amount of time you are apart. In fact, the opposite is true. Communication throughout the process is important, otherwise the two of you may grow apart. Whether this is through text messages, email, or a phone call, talking every once in a while can really help the relationship.

Decide beforehand how often the two of you are going to talk. This can help with expectations and help both of you know how often communication will happen.

Figure out the way you are going to communicate. There are several options, but figuring this out beforehand can be helpful.

Share your thoughts with one another. This can help both of you keep track of how the separation and relationship are going.

When you are going through a trial separation, things can be hard. However, these things can help make the process a little easier. It can also help you to determine where the relationship is going. A separation may not always be necessary or beneficial, so talk with your partner to see if it’s something you should consider.